Bangalore's Christ University is one of the premier institutes of South India known for the quality of its higher education.

Avinav Pujara had just finished school and was weighing various future options with trepidation. He had no idea that his father had already submitted a form for him at Christ University. "It was the best decision that my father made" says Pujara, 20, now a third-year BBA student at Christ University. The college not only changed his perspective on education but also helped him discover his true vocational calling: Business management.

Founded in 1969, Bangalore's Christ University is one of the premier institutes of South India known for the quality of its higher education. It is managed by priests of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, the first Syrian Catholic religious congregation in India. At present, approximately 12,000 students from across the country are enrolled in Christ University which has a faculty strength of more than 500.

The institution is best known for its BBA and BCA programmes. The BBA programme is a unique offering among local colleges which allows students to spend either one or two years towards the end of the course at a partner institution overseas. Some examples are Western Michigan University, US, and Swansea University in the UK. In the last academic year, six Korean universities were also signed up for exchange programmes.

"Our main strength is our curriculum," says Jain Mathew, professor and head of the department of management studies. "Our research-based pedagogy and experiential learning through projects each semester are other highlights. We're planning to include industrial-collaboration courses next academic year."

Christ University vice-chancellor Thomas C.Mathew with students in his office

Some of the biggest names in the industry were among campus recruiters this year, including Goldman Sachs, Ernst and Young, Wells Fargo and KPMG as well as Indian companies such as Zomato, TCS and Asian Paints. "The department trains students in a way that they learn to manage a business on their own. This prepares them to become entrepreneurs but with social responsibility," says Mathew.

The BBA department has an active theatre department that represents the university at several cultural festivals across the country. The group has travelled to Mumbai and Goa and has won 26 trophies last year.

"The BBA course in Christ University follows a holistic approach where apart from management subjects, we are also taught subjects like sociology and coached in the art of public speaking," says Huzaifa Iltaz, 20, a second-year student.

Christ University is also known for its world class BCA programmes. "It is the quality and rigour of the programme which allows us to retain the top position," says Joy Paulose, head of computer science and applications department. "Students, management and faculty contribute to this process." In the last one year, the course has been broadened to include subjects like cyber law and psychology for professionals in the curriculum.

Some of its existing highlights are offering students the option to learn foreign languages like German and French as well as training in soft skills like personality development. Campus recruitment packages were also lucrative with companies such as Oracle, Cognizant and Wipro hiring students. "Our aim is to develop an IT professional with human and ethical values," says professor Paulose, quoting the motto of the department.

As Rahul Raja Raman, 19, a third-year BCA student, says, enthusiastic teachers who encourage students to experiment and learn by practical experience instead of relying on readily available information is what makes Christ University stand out.